DIGITAL.NEOSKOSMOS.COM THE WEEKEND NEOS KOSMOS | SATURDAY 18 MARCH 2017 13 FOOD FOR THOUGHT Mallee Estate to open new cellar door restaurant The Greek restaurant on Renmark Avenue will be a chance to showcase the brand’s history he Markeas family behind the awardwinning Mallee Estate wines is about to inject a dose of Greekness into the food and wine scene of Renmark, with the opening of a new Greek restaurant later this year. Situated just a few kilometres from the successful 23rd Street Distillery housed in the old Renmano winery on Renmark Avenue, to help get the ball rolling and build the restaurant they will be using a $25,000 cellar door grant. And, if their wine is anything to go by, the food is sure to be impeccable. In an interview with local paper Adelaide Now, director and winemaker at Mallee Estate Jim Markeas revealed that a chef had already been hired and was in the process of learning Greek recipes from his mother Eleni. "We're building a T Jim Markeas with his mother Eleni. PHOTO: ADELAIDE NOW/ MARK BRAKE commercial kitchen adjacent to the cellar door so we can have dining at the cellar door and alfresco dining under the veranda and on the lawn," Mr Markeas said, adding that opening the eatery is a natural progression and a real chance to showcase their brand's history. Part of the wave of Greek immigrants to the region, it was in 1969 that his parents Eleni and Peter Markeas established their vineyard with shiraz grapes. Since with the help of the next Markeas generation, their efforts have seen them go from strength to strength, producing IONIO Tucked away in Doncaster’s Westfield, IONIO offers delicious Greek food made from scratch and the masses come to enjoy a hearty meal seven days a week. Its menu, continually evolving, includes charcoal-fired meats like souvlaki and gyros alongside delicious mousaka and kefalograviera cheesballs but don’t go without trying the smashed baklava with toasted walnuts and honey ice cream. They 500 tonnes of their own grapes and exporting wines abroad to the US, China, and Hong Kong. In 2015, they received another award with Jim named Riverland Winemaker of the Year at the prestigious International Wine Competition in New York. "Wine and food goes together; it's part of brand building and teaching people how to appreciate wine and food and different cuisines," Mr Markeas said. "What you need to do is tell your story, how you started, where you come from; and we come from the biggest wineproducing region in Australia - we have the ideal Mediterranean climate here so we grow consistent quality year after year." For more information on Mallee Estate, visit malleeestatewines.com.au/ specialise in catering for large groups and events perfect for your next family celebration. Enjoy their Cheap as Chewsday every Tuesday! Two souvlaki, two soft drinks and a serve of rosemary & feta chips for $30. Shop 2001, Level 2, Doncaster Westfield Shopping Centre, 619 Doncaster Rd. Doncaster, VIC (03) 9840 1423 www.ionio.com.au FIG & WALNUT Two school friends, Vera Xanthis and Goran Boskovski have joined forces into setting up Seddon’s newest gem, Fig & Walnut cafe. A beautiful space with a vintage, rustic flair and a homey feel makes the perfect destination for suburban breakfast and brunch escapades in Melbourne’s West. Vera takes Mediterranean and European cuisine to a whole new level, while Goran brings his coffee expertise to the table, both creating SWEET GREEK new hearty flavours and healthy delicious options. If you want to try fusion Greek inspired dishes and drinks made with love and ingredients from their community garden, definitely put them on your list. Fig & Walnut is also equipped with a beautiful backyard area. 11-13 Bellairs Avenue Seddon Seddon, VIC 3011 (03) 9687 2665 www.facebook.com/ figandwalnutcafe Born in the migrant suburb of Richmond, Kathy Tsaples, the creative soul behind Prahran Market’s favourite deli and namesake bestseller cookbook, grew up learning to cook traditional Greek cuisine from her mother. Sweet Greek began with the vision and passion to invite customers to experience the traditional cuisine that she has grown up on, the same family table that celebrated life with every bite. From freshly baked cakes and biscuits to home-cooked meals, Sweet Greek aims to provide their customers with a transcending experience of the Greek cuisine. Their hearty and delicious food based on recipes passed down from generations, is ingrained with the Hellenic culture and spirit. Shop 702 – Prahran Market, 163 Commercial Rd South Yarra VIC 03 9826 0608 www.sweetgreek.com.au MYKONOS TAVERNA Mykonos Taverna offers traditional Greek meals prepared with care and attention to detail in Oakleigh. Thomas Deliopoulos and Sylvia Gabriel from Kalimera, have decided to recreate the authentic Greek taverna experience with a space and a menu that makes you feel like you are on a holiday. Mykonos sports an incredible fit out channelling the famous Greek island’s vibes setting the bar high for the local culinary battlefield. Only the FROM THE BUTCHER TO THE CHEF freshest ingredients are used for their generous servings featuring original dishes like tigania hirini, kotsi hirino, chicken trahana, Cycladian octopus, kontosouvli, ouzo shrimp kritharoto (orzo) aka pan alongside classics like chargrilled lamb chops, dolmades, saganaki, Santorini fava and more. 58 Portman Street Oakleigh Oakleigh, VIC (03) 9569 6767 A Cypriot Style Food Company that uses nothing but the freshest ingredients to fuel their homemade family dishes cooked to perfection and delicious desserts. All items on the menu are made from scratch with love and recipes passed down through generations. Famous for their mouth-watering Cypriot souvlaki served in a pita pocket, they specialise in flavours and meat that will titillate your tastebuds and keep you coming back for more. You will fall in love with their traditional koupes which are mince pork croquettes, served as a snack or as part of a meze dish and the sheftalies, the most juicy crepinettes. They do catering and specialise in finger food. Find them at: 597 Bell St, Preston 03 9480 5801 www.fromthebutchertothechef.com www.facebook.com/ fromthebutchertothechef www.instagram.com/ fromthebutchertothechef